Page 8 of What Whispers in the Dark
Saidnasty-little-beastieswere recorded as the size of a human child and just as repulsive.Little devils.He cringed, recalling the words, his imagination erupting with images of snot-covered limbs, rotted black and green skin patches as putrid as the stagnant water they lurked in, bloated fingers ending in razor-like claws, hunched spines, yellow eyes, andfangs like those of the ancient saber-toothed cats of his mother’s world.
A true terror to behold.
Eldacar’s expression fluttered to mild confusion. He tapped his lips with a single finger. “Peculiar. I wasn’t aware you could read.”
Aiden barked a laugh, winked, and gestured a toast in his direction.Cheeky fellow.
“Yes,” Eldacar hummed. Then explained, “It’s said the only way to kill one is by stabbing the base of its spine.” A ruby sheen flushed his cheeks as he forced a small grin.
“You mean the liver,” Aiden corrected, then smiled like he’d just won a wager. Couldn’t make a fool of him, not when he’djustlearned that information. Ask him in a few hours; that would be another tale…
“Just checking.” Eldacar chuckled. “Histories record they favor northern parts of Zyllyryon. I do hope we make this journey without the pleasure of one’s company. Though I’m certain His Highness would not have the legion trudge through swamps. And I hear Lirazkendra’s waters are full?—”
Water.Aiden twisted his face, repulsed.Vile liquid. Unless Eldy was speaking of the sea, he couldn’t care to think about?—
Shit.Eldacar’s mouth was still moving.
Aiden nodded as if he caught the last few sentences. Adding a fewmmm hmmsandrightswhile attempting to recover eye contact. Was he convincing enough? Should he—starsdammit.He was thinking more about his expression than actually paying attention to Eldacar speaking.
He better nod again.
It wasn’t his fault. His mind seemed to wander at the drop of a grain of sand. Narrowing on one spoken word and dragging it out of the ramblings to form some far-off new topic. Thalon usually humored him. Jade would punch his arm, but he’dcontinue along, usually resulting in connecting his thoughts to food, at what spices he could find in the next town, which, speaking of… “Tomorrow I’m making maple-glazed brisket,” he blurted. Roasted garlic-buttered mashed potatoes, smoked gouda, buttermilk biscuits with honey drizzle or blueberry compote…
By Eldacar’s look of confusion, he was certain he’d interrupted mid-sentence …again.
Despite the disruption, the scrawny male smiled with kind understanding before he settled on the log beside Aiden. Eldacar stared into the low licks of flames along the pot and humored him, asking, “And tonight? Smells just as good as breakfast this morning.” Those brown eyes brightened.
Frowning, Aiden admitted, “Itisbreakfast from this morning,” and rolled onto his knees. The caramelized onions he had added hours ago swam to the surface as he stirred. The dollop of mustard sauce would add a rich tang, as well as the herbs, to enhance it slightly. Aiden was tempted to lift the spoon to his lips, but instead, scooped Eldacar a heaping serving and waited for the moment?—
Aiden grinned wider than his faerie brother from another.
Steam billowed from Eldacar’s bowl as he elatedly sighed from the first bite. He rested the bowl on his lap and scanned the firesite. Marking Thalon’s empty tent, then Jade’s before surveying their High Prince’s. “The others aren’t back yet?” A critical frown etched lines into his forehead as he glanced up the hill toward the sentries. “That’s unlike them,” he added.
“Lucky us. We don’t have to endure Thalon’s cooking tonight.” Two sets of male laughter bounced over the fire. Aiden made a note to tease the male about it later and said, “Expect their bright and sunshiny faces within the next half hour, I’m sure. Brennus pleasures in keeping Garrik waiting. Best to keep all long-and-pointy objects out of reach. Maybe fluff his pillows,refill his bourbon… Which, in all honesty, might be a problem … as it seems I may have … mostly drunk it empty today.” Aiden flipped over his crystal—Garrik’scrystal—and they both focused on the droplet of amber liquid that leaked into the dirt below.
What a damn shame.Wonder what it would taste like if he licked it?
Eldacar chuckled and shook his head. “Ah. Yes. Still finding your answers at the bottom of a bottle?”
If only they knew…“Shout out to my liver for handling what my heart can’t.” Picturing … her face, the hat and crimson sash he left her with … He lifted his glass skyward. Aiden mimicked taking a sip and fell onto his back, then propped his feet up again with a harrowing sigh.
‘Fine! Go then, Aiden.’
‘Love—’
‘No. Just go.’
The scrape of Eldacar’s spoon was like nails on a stone. One he wished he could shatter his memories and epic failure with.
Eldacar wondered, “No luck convincing sire to grant you leave to Telldaira then?”
Not like it ever helped but…
Aiden released a dramatic, frustrated grumble. “No,” he whined, elongating the vowel as it sing-songed from his mouth and cursed, “bloody hells. No females to warm tonight … much to my protesting. Unlikely there would be many places to find one, anyway. Place was a damned inferno last night. Not sure much remained standing when we left.”
Matal scraped against wood as Eldacar scooped the last hearty bite. Wiggling his nose to adjust his round-rimmed glasses, he leaned closer to the fire and said, “Speaking of females, Alora finished the book I gave her rather quickly. I was surprised you allowed her to visit my tent to return it.”
“Ha, funny.” A low hum reverberated from Aiden’s chest as he closed his light blue eyes and laced his fingers behind his head. The female hadn’t stirred in hours. Perhaps he should bring her some stew.
